The Wild Robot Tops North American Box Office

Universal and DreamWorks Animation's 'The Wild Robot' debuted at the top of the North American box office, earning an estimated $35 million, marking it as the third highest-grossing animated film for a September opening. The film, featuring voice talents such as Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal, received critical acclaim, including an A CinemaScore, and is expected to have a successful run. In stark contrast, Francis Ford Coppola's self-financed epic 'Megalopolis' flopped, grossing only $4 million against a $120 million budget, receiving a D+ CinemaScore and mixed reviews. Other films in the box office included 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' with $16 million and 'Transformers One' which fell to third place with $9 million. Analysts noted that 'Megalopolis' could result in a significant financial loss for Coppola, who has historically prioritized artistic vision over box office success. The contrasting performances highlight the unpredictable nature of audience preferences and the challenges faced by high-budget films.